The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-14
SENT UP FOR LIFE.
JOHN RODRIGEz. ALIAS SPANISH
JOHN, CONVICTED OF MURDER.

The Slayer of Harry Ennis to Serve
the State for the Remainder of His
Natural Life-A Blue Jumper Plays
an Important Part in a Murder Trial
The Defendants Statement.
John Rodrigez, alias Spanish John, was
tried in the Superior Court yesterday and
convicted of the murder of. Harry Ennis, on
the night of June 3. The murder was COM
mttfed on Farm street, near the corner Of
Indian, about o'clock. Ennis came out Of
the bagnio of Mary Angelo, and
had walked only few steps when he met
Spanish John. They had been together but a
moment when Rodrigez raised a loaded
cane, which he held in his hand, and struck
Ennis two or three times and then walked
rapidly away. Ennis fell to the ground,
but arose again and re entered the bagnio.
He asked Mary Angelo who the man was
that struck him, and described his dress.
The woman told him that he was called
Spanish John. Ennis then went to his home,
and from thence he was removed to the
Savannah Hospital, where he died June Ii.
At the trial w. W. Osborne, Esq, and
Davis Freeman, ESQ, represented the de-
peared for the State
THE STATES TESTIMONY.
The first witness examined was Mrs.
Annie Ennis, who testified as to Ennis APP
pearance when he returned home. She was
asked what the deceased said to her. but to
that the defendants counsel objected, and
the witness was not examined further as
she had no knowledge of the facts
Miss Tina Renken testified that at the
time of the killing she was standing near
the corner of Farm and Indian streets talk
ing to two friends, and she saw a man come
around the corner with white dog. She
heard the bark of a dog and saw the man
step back, and then she heard three blows.
She saw another man fall to the ground, but
did not know at the time that it was Ennis.
The other man walked away. She did not
see his face, as it was dark. She could not
identify Rodrigez.
Mrs. Mary Cosgrove was talking with
Miss Renken at the time and saw the killing
She also saw RodrigeZ and identified him.
Mary Angelo knew Spanish John, and
saw him on the night of the murder. She
described his dress, saying that he wore a
faded blue jumper, striped trousers and q
brown hat. He had white dog with him.
Mrs. Cosgrove was recalled, and she gave
the same description of Rodrigez's dress.
DIR. Colding, the resident physician of the
hospital, testified that Ennis skull was
fractured, and a clot formed on the brain,
causing an abscess.
AN ATTEMPT TO PROVE AN ALIBI.
The defense attempted to prove an abb,
and a case of mistaken identity RoirigeZ
was put on the stand and in his broken
English he made a statement, in which he
attempted to account for his time lie said
that he left his house about O'clock and
went to the house of Fannie Aston. He re
manned there with Fanny and Frank Aston
until late at night. He made a cigarette
and Fannie lighted match and looked at
the clock and it was then 1890 O'clock He
then went home, going through Coffee
alley. Next day he worked in the country,
but on Tuesday he did not go to work
After supper he was arrested but he did not
know what for except that someone said
that it was for striking Ennis. After he
was turned over to Constable Kaufman he
asked to be taken to the hospital to see
Ennis because he did not believe Ennis
would say he had struck him, as they were
good friends.
Fannie Aston testified that Spanish John
was at her house between $50 and 1890
o'clock that night, that she had known him
for some time, and knew that he never had
a dog. She admitted, on cross-examination,
that she had a white dog.
Frank Aston swOre to the presence of
RQnrlgeZ IN the house between the hours
given above, and that he did not leave the
house during that time.
DID HE WEAR JUMPERS
Policeman Sullivan, who made the ar
rest, testified that at the time of the arrest
Rodriguez had on the blue jumper and
striped pants.
Mary Golden, a mulattress with whom
ROdrigez boarded and one of the boarders
in the house, stated that Spanish John did
not wear jumper on That day; that when
he left the house he had on a blue shirt and
he had it on when he returned
The argument was opened for the defense
by Mr. Osborne and Mr.. Freeman followed.
Mr. duBignon made the argument for the
State.
The jury was out about two hours and
when they returned they brought in a YER
dict of guilty of murder, but recommended
mercy The prisoner was placed in the
dock and sentenced to the penitentiary for
life
The recommendation for mercy was in
serted because of the character of the
weapon used. The jury was inclined to the
belief that as the weapon was only walk
ing-stick the defendant did not intend to
kin Ennis.